Ragini Malhotra

Ragini Malhotra, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Department of Criminology at the University of Southern Maine (USM), affiliated with the Women and Gender Studies Program. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, an M.I.A. in International Affairs (Human Rights & South Asia) from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Political Science, Human Rights, and Anthropology from Barnard College.

Her research focuses on the politics of urban violence, childhood experiences, gender dynamics, labor, and state surveillance in the Global South, particularly urban India. She employs ethnographic and quantitative methods to examine transnational labor migration and systemic power structures. Her work integrates social justice and community engagement, reflecting her activism against state violence in both India and the U.S.

Dr. Malhotra’s teaching emphasizes bridging theory and practice, drawing on her global experience in development, social policy, and human rights. Her scholarly contributions and pedagogical approaches have been recognized through awards and grants. Previously, she taught at UMass-Amherst and remains active in community-based initiatives.